During this hands on Borneo wildlife photography holiday and Orangutan conservation photography expedition you will directly help to promote the protection and survival of the endangered Borneo Forest and its wildlife, including the endangered orangutan, pygmy elephants, proboscis monkeys, macaques, singing gibbons, sun bears and hundred of species of birds. The trip allows you to get involved and be part of an important initiative to help save endangered wildlife and communities, while you experience the incredible privilege of photographing these amazing creatures in the wild along the banks of the Kinabatangan river in a protected rainforest area called the Corridor of Life.
You will be part of an important conservation project to increase biodiversity along the banks of the Kinabatangan river in Borneo’s protected rainforest. Home to a hundreds of mammal species including orangutan, pygmy elephants, proboscis monkeys, macaques, singing gibbons and sun bears, and thousands of species of birds and other wildlife – this is heaven on earth for nature photographers and lovers.
Borneo was once covered by extensive rainforests, these habitats are slowly disappearing. This conservation project is located in one of these newly protected areas and approaches increasing biodiversity with a two-pronged approach. One part is monitoring the wildlife in the area; the other part is regenerating the rainforest. To complete these tasks you will be spending a lot of time on the river, enjoying the beautiful surroundings and the wildlife that you encounter on the river banks.
This conservation photography expedition see’s you join a conservation charity in their mission to increase biodiversity, monitoring the wildlife in the area and regenerating the rainforest . You will be working with local ecologists and conservation teams to conduct research on a variety of conservation tasks and projects, all while witnessing close up the natural history in the wild and documenting, via photography, the species and the work of the conservation teams.
You will be out and about working in the rainforest among its wildlife and within the local communities. During the expedition, you will be getting very hands on with the research, observation and preservation in an effort to protect the rainforest species for future generations.
Your days will be varied and exciting, touching upon a variety of tasks:
The Corridor of Life as it’s known is absolutely stunning and you will be trekking through its jungles and along is river banks to get to know the wildlife species intimately. You will come into contact with the friendly locals – eat, cook and engage with them and encounter some lush terrain. All part of what makes this expedition even more magical.
Far too many animals are living in zoos around the world, and helping them to remain living in the wild is essential. Helping to regenerate their habitats to protect future generations of species is a rewarding and exciting opportunity. You will be living in the same village as the Orang Sungai- “people of the river” and trekking through the wonderful rainforests of Sabah will be mind blowing.
Not only will you be doing something rewarding, fun and worthwhile, but you will be contributing to the long-term protection of endangered species, while witnessing and photographing wild animals and the nature of the Corridor of Life.
During this Borneo wildlife photography holiday, you will have the opportunity to not just photograph amazing endangered species, but also the opportunity to create a documentary of the conservation work that is undertaken by the team saving these amazing creatures. Work done on every day of the trip, but it is not too intensive and there is plenty of time for relaxing, taking a stroll or doing some photography
The main wildlife sightings are orangutan. There are frequent sightings of all sorts of birdlife, proboscis monkeys, gibbons, crocs etc. Less frequent sightings would be macaques, langurs and pygmy elephants.
Day 1 You will be welcomed by your expedition guide at Sandakan Airport and transferred to your overnight stay guest house near the rainforests.
Day 2 We will transfer to Orang-Sungai village where we’ll be welcomed, take lunch and introduced to the team of conservationists.
After lunch we’ll take a boat ride down the river and start our monitoring & surveying and photography work.
Day 3-10 After breakfast, you’ll be working with the conservation team undertaking a manner of tasks (as listed above) and giving you opportunity to get close to Borneo’s wildlife in the wild and document the work of the conservation team. You will also have free time to photograph the huge array of wildlife at the reserve including an array of birdlife and of course wild endangered Orangutang.
Day 11 After breakfast, we leave the project site and visit Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, Borneo Sunbear Conservation Centre and Rainforest Discovery Centre.
We stay overnight in lovely hotel Sandakan. Dinner not included.
Day 12 After breakfast and depending on your flight time, you’ll be transferred to Sandakan Airport for your outbound flight.
Your first night will be spent in a lovely traditional longhouse, with a balcony that looks out over the jungle and lakes on the outskirts of Sandakan. A special welcome dinner is provided by the guest house, where the group can get to know each other as you can relax to the noises of the jungle.
The project location is a riverside guesthouse, sharing a basic yet comfortable room with at least one other group member and is located in the small village of the Orang Sungai people, along the Kinabatangan river. The room has an en suite bathroom with a western toilet and refreshing shower.
A real highlight of this photography exhibition is to eat in the homes of the local villagers, with stunning meals cooked up the local way. Dietary requirements can be catered for.
On our last night, we are housed in a gorgeous guest house in Sandakan. Dinner is not included on this night allowing you to choose your favoured cuisine.
Expedition Guide(s): Scott Latham
Departure & Return Location : Sandakan Airport (SDK)
Price Includes
Accommodation
Award Winning Photographer Tour Guide
All transportation in destination location
All Meals at the project site
Full training, Orientation and Briefings
Pre-departure information covering medical, safety and placement advice
Local support in Borneo from English speaking staff
Rehabilitation Centre Fees
Certificate of Recognition (on request)
Price Excludes
Flights
Insurances
Sundries, Meals out of Project Location & Alcoholic Drinks
Any activities not listed on the itinerary
Any additional costs such as extra trips, snacks, entertainment (allow maybe £30 per week depending on lifestyle)
Booking on our Borneo wildlife photography holiday is simple. Please complete the booking form on this page with you full name, email, and details on your booking, i.e number of people etc. A member of our team will then be in contact with a booking confirmation email. If you have selected pay deposit only option, your balance will be due upon the payment terms below. Alternatively, you can complete the enquiry form and we’ll respond to your email ASAP.
Tour Cost: £2275 per person | Deposit: £300 per person
Deposit: £300 due upon booking
Mid-Term: £450 due 6 months before travel
Final Balance: £1525 Due 9 weeks before travel
Any flight arrangements made with our partners through us need to be paid in full at time of flight booking.
Please be aware that this trip will mainly be spent volunteering with the conservation team, getting fully involved in the project and conservation of the species at the reserve. Photography opportunities will arise regular for both the species in the reserve and the documentary style photographs of the team.
By booking this conservation expedition you are agreeing to our Payment Terms (as above), Terms & Conditions & Responsible Travel Policy.